Friction draft gear



Nov. 17, 1931. R. R, STEVENS 1,831,890

FRICTION DRAFT GEAR Filed OCL. 27, 1928 lNvENToR ROY RSTEVENS ATTORNEY Patented Nov. 17, 1931 UNITED STATES PATENT oFFicE ROY R. STEVENS, OF FOREST HILLS, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR, BY IVIIEISIEI'E` ASSIG'N` MENTS, TO GAR-DWELL WESTINGHOUSE COMPANY, 0F CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A COR- PORATION OF DELAWARE rnroTIoN mmr'r GEAR f Application led October 27,1928. SeriaLNQ. 315,398.

.lo blocks and two side wedge blocks cooperating therewith to assist in producing the desired frictional resistance, it has been discovered that there is a tendency of one side wedge block to begin to move longitudinally before the other, and when one of the blocks does move in advance of the other, the centrally arranged wedges are diverted from the longitudinal center line of the draft rigging and the wedges are worn unevenly. Further, it

U has been found that when one of the side if are free to move in transverse directions toward and away from each other.

Other objects and advantages will appear in the following more detailed description.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a horizontal sectional view of a portion of the friction draft rigging embodying my invention; and Fig. 2 is a cross sectional view of the same taken on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

ln accordance withA the drawings, the shock absorbing mechanism of the draft rigging may comprise a hollow rectangular casing 1 containing at its forward end, groups of alternated friction plates 2 and 3 which are disposed at opposite sides of a 59 wedging mechanism, the plates 3 being anchored to the casing 1 and the plates 2 being movable relative to the plates 3 under buffin'g 'or pulling impacts. Also contained within the casing are coil springs `ai, 5 and 6,

The wedging mechanism comprises longitudinally disposed wedge blocks 7 and 8 having Vopposed wedging faces adapted to engage corresponding wedging faces of wedge blocks 9 and 10the block 9 being disposed at oneside of the wedge blocks 7 and 8 and the block 10 being' disposed at the other side of the blocks 7 and 8. A follower plate 11 is disposed within the casing 1 and engages the inner ends of the friction plates 2, said follower being engaged at the opposite side by the springs 4L and 5. The wedge block 8 is normally engaged by the follower plate 11.V

The wedge block 7 is acted upon by the spring 6 through the medium of a stem`12 extending throughr an opening in the wedge i block 8 anda springV follower 13 which engages the inner end of the stem 12 within the wedge block 8.

The inner facing sides of the wedge blocks 9 and 10 are each provided with top and bottom shoulders 14 and 15, respectively, which overlap the respective top and bottom surfaces of the stem 12 and are adapted to engage the stem to prevent unintentional vertical movementof the wedge blocks.

Proj eeting from the inner side of the wedge block 9, and disposed above the stem 12, there is a lug 16 which is adapted to engage the wedge block 10 within a socket or recess 17 formed therein, and projecting from the wedge block 10, and disposed below the stem 12 there is a like lug 18 which is adapted to engage the wedge block 9 within a socket or recess 19 formed in the block 9.

'lhe sockets 17 and 19 are of such depth as to permit free movement of the wedge Ablocks 9 and 10 in directions toward and ment of both blocks and at the same time permit free movement of the blocks in directions toward and aWay from each other, and cooperate with the stem 12 to prevent unin` tentional vertical movement of the blocks. It Will be noted further that by the coopera tion of the Wedge blocks with each other, the alignment of the ends of the Wedge blocks Willl be maintained against any tendency of one block to move to a position in advance of the other.

While one illustrative embodiment 0f the invention has been described in detail, it is not my intention to limitits scope to that embodiment or otherwise than by the terms of the appended claim.

Having now described my invention, Whatv I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is Y In a friction cushioning mechanism, the Combination With a casing, of a Wedging mechanism mounted in said casing and comprising a centrally arranged Wedge block, a stem carried by said Wedge block, two side Wedge blocks adapted to be moved longitudinally and transversely of the casing by said centrally arranged wedge block7 means for connecting said side Wedge blocks to cause them to move in unison, means on said side Wedge blocks adapted to engage said stem to prevent unintentional vertical movement of said side Wedge blocks relative to said stem, and means for releasing the Wedgin g mechanism.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand, this 23rd day of October, 1928.

ROY R. STEVENS. 

